Diffusion-transfer processes and elements comprising color couplers and bis-sulfonyl silver halide solvents for increased speed

ABSTRACT

Increased speed is obtained by employing a 1,1 bis-sulfonyl alkane silver halide solvent in a color, diffusion transfer element having at least one nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized color developing agent to produce a diffusible dye.

United States Patent Judith A. Schwan Rochester;

Walter M. Bush, Victor, both of N.Y. 42,607

June 1, 1970 Dec. 28, 1971 Eastman Kodak Company Rochester, N.Y.

Inventors Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee DIFFUSION-TRANSFER PROCESSES AND ELEMENTS COMPRISING COLOR COUPLERS AND BIS-SULFONYL SILVER HALIDE SOLVENTS FOR INCREASED SPEED 30 Claims, No Drawings 0.5. CI 96/3, 96/29 D, 96/76 C Int. Cl G03c 1/48, G03c 5/54, G03c 7/00 [50] Field of Search 96/66.3, I07, 3

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,227,550 1/1966 Whitmore et al. 96/3 Primary Examiner Norman G. Torchin Assistant Examiner-Alfonso T. Suro Pico AttorneysW. H. J. Kline, J. R. Frederick and H. E. Cole ABSTRACT: Increased speed is obtained by employing :1 LI bis-sulfonyl alkane silver halide solvent in a color, diffusion transfer element having at least one nondiffusihle coupler capable of reacting with oxidized color developing agent to produce a diffusible dye.

DIFFUSION-TRANSFER PROCESSES AND ELEMENTS COMPRISING COLOR COUPLERS AND DIS-SULFONYL SILVER HALIDE SOLVENTS FOR INCREASED SPEED This invention relates to photography and more particularly to color, diffusion transfer elements, film assemblies and methods of processing such elements and film assemblies.

In British Pat. No. 904,364, page 19, lines l-4l, there is described a particular color, diffusion transfer system employing nondiffusible couplers capable of reacting with oxidized color developing agent to produce diffusible dyes. A necessary part of this system is the use of a silver halide solvent. Certain embodiments of this system are also described in U.S. application Ser. No. 869,189 of Charles R. Barr, Walter M. Bush and Leo J. Thomas filed Oct. 24, 1969 now abandoned entitled Photographic Film Unit For Diffusion Transfer Processing;" and U.S. application, Ser. No. 869,186 of Harold E. Cole filed Oct. 24, 1969 now abandoned entitled Photographic Film Unit For Diffusion Transfer Processing."

It is an object of our invention to provide a new silver halide solvent for use with the above-mentioned color, diffusion transfer system which unexpectedly increases the photographic speed, compared to prior art silver halide solvents, and which can be located in the processing composition or can be incorporated into the photosensitive element or a process sheet without adverse photographic effects.

Another object of our invention is to provide new silver halide solvents for use in the above-mentioned color, diffusion transfer system wherein the dye image-receiving layer is located in the photosensitive element itself or is provided on a separate support to be superposed on the photosensitive element after exposure thereof.

These and other objects are obtained by employing in the above-mentioned color, diffusion transfer system a l, 1 bissulfonyl alkane silver halide solvent.

Accordingly, a photographic film unit of our invention which is adapted to be processed by passing the unit between a pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying members, such as would be found in a camera designed for in-camera processing, comprises:

I. a photosensitive element comprising a support having thereon at least one, and preferably three, color-forming units comprising:

a. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible dye; and

b. a photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product;

II. a dye image-receiving layer; and

III. a rupturable container containing an alkaline processing composition and which is adapted to be positioned during processing of said film unit so that a compressive force applied to the container by the pressure-applying members will effect a discharge of the container's contents within the film unit;

the film unit containing an aromatic primary amino color developing agent and a 1,1 bis-sulfonyl alkane silver halide solvent.

A photosensitive element according to our invention having the silver halide solvent incorporated therein would comprise the photosensitive element described in 1) above with a 1,1 bis-sulfonyl alkane silver halide solvent incorporated therein, preferably as a separate layer or layers.

In the photosensitive elements and film units according to our invention, there is associated with each silver halide emulsion layer in the photosensitive element a dye image-forming coupler which is nondiffusing in photographic silver halide emulsions but which produces a diffusible dye on reaction with oxidized aromatic primary amino silver halide photographic color developing agents, such as p-phenylenediamine developing agents in alkaline processing compositions. Such couplers include those having the formulas:

Denoting the coupling position.

DYE--LlNK(COUP-BALL),, and

BALLLINK(COUPSOL),, wherein 1. DYE is a preformed dye radical exhibiting selective absorption in the visible spectrum and containing an acidic solubilizing radical;

2. LINK is a connecting radical such as an azoradical, a mercuri radical, an oxy radical, an alkylidene radical, a thio radical, a dithio radical or an azoxy radical;

3. COUP is a coupler radical such as a S-pyrazolone coupler radical, a pyrazolotriazole coupler radical, a phenolic coupler radical or an open-chain ketomethylene coupler radical, COUP being substituted in the coupling position with LINK;

. BALL is a photographically inert organic ballasting radical of such molecular size and configuration as to render such coupler nondiffusible during development in alkaline processing compositions;

. SOL is a hydrogen atom or an acidic solubilizing group when the color developing agent contains an acidic solubilizing group, and SOL is an acidic solubilizing group when the color developing agent is free of an acidic solubilizing group; and

6. n is an integer of 1 to 2 when LINK is an alkylidene radical, and n is 1 when LINK is an azoradical, a mercuri radical, an oxy radical, a thio radical, a dithio radical or an azoxy radical.

The acidic solubilizing radicals attached to the diffusible dye producing couplers described above can be solubilizing radicals which when attached to the coupler or developer moieties of the dyes, render the dyes diffusible in alkaline processing compositions. Typical of such radicals are carboxylic, sulfonic, ionizable sulfonamide, and hydroxy-substituted groups that lend to dyes negative charges.

The nature of the ballast groups in the diffusible dyeproducing coupler compounds described above (BALL) is not critical as long as they confer nondilfusibility to the coupler compounds. Typical ballast groups include long chain alkyl radicals linked directly or indirectly to the coupler molecules as well as aromatic radicals of the benzene and naphthalene series, etc., linked directly or indirectly to the coupler molecules by a splittable linkage, or by a removable or irremovable but otherwise nonfunctional linkage depending upon the nature of the coupler compound. Useful ballast groups have at least eight carbon atoms.

Typical dye radical substituents (DYE--) include azo, azomethine, indoaniline, indophenol, anthraquinone and related dye radicals well known in the art that exhibit selective absorption in the visible spectrum. The dye radicals contain acidic solubilizing moieties.

With regard to the above-described coupler radicals (COUP-) the coupling position" is well known to those skilled in the photographic art. The S-pyrazolone coupler radicals couple at the carbon atom in the 4-position, the phenolic coupler radical, including a-naphthols, couple at the carbon atom in the 4-position and the open-chain ketomethylene coupler radicals couple to the carbon atom forming the methylene moiety LII Pyrazolotriazole couplers and their coupling position are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,061,432 and U.S. application, Ser. No. 778,329 of Bailey et al., filed Nov. 22, 1968.

Particularly good results are obtained when the cyanproducing coupler has the formula BALLOCYANCOUP, the magenta-producing coupler has the formula BALLN= N-MAGCOUP and the yellow-producing coupler has the formula BALL--OYELLCOUP wherein:

. BALL is a photographically inert organic ballasting radical having at least eight carbon atoms and of such molecular size and configuration as to render the coupler nondiffusible during development in an alkaline processing composition;

b. CYANCOUP is a phenolic coupler radical substituted in the 2-position with a fully substituted amido group and attached to the -O moiety of the cyan-producing coupler in the coupling position;

c. MAGCOUP is a 5-pyrazolone coupler radical joined to the N=Nmoiety of the magenta-producing coupler in the coupling position; and

d. XELLCOUP is an open-chain ketomethylene coupler radical attached to the O- moiety of the yellowproducing coupler in the coupling position;

The term "nondiffusing" used herein as applied to the couplers, has the meaning commonly applied to the term in color photography and denotes materials which for all practical purposes do not migrate or wander through organic colloid layers, such as gelatin, comprising the sensitive elements of the invention when processed in alkaline processing compositions. The same meaning is to be attached to the term immobile.

The term diffusible" as applied to the dyes formed from the nondiffusing couplers in this invention has the converse meaning and denotes materials having the property of diffusing effectively through the colloid layers of the sensitive elements in the presence of the nondiffusing materials from which they are derived, when processed in alkaline processing compositions. Mobile" has the same meaning.

When the couplers having the formula DYELINK- (COUPBALL),, as described above are reacted with oxidized color developing agent, the connecting radical (LINK) is split and a diffusible preformed dye (DYE) is released which diffuses imagewise to a reception layer. An acidic solubilizing group on the preformed dye lends diffusibility to the dye molecule. The coupling portion of the coupler (COUP) couples with the color developing agent oxidation product to form a dye that is nondifi'usible because of the attached ballasting group (BALL) in a noncoupling position. in this type of coupler, the color of the diffusible dye is determined by the color of the preformed dye moiety (DYE), the color of the reaction product of color developer oxidation product and the coupler moiety (COUP) being unimportant to the color of the diffusible image.

When couplers having the formula BALL-LINK- (COUPSOL),, as described above are reacted with oxidized color developing agent, the connecting radical (LINK) is split and a diffusible dye is formed with the color developing agent oxidation product and the coupling portion (COUP) of the coupler which difi'uses imagewise to a reception layer. Diffusibility is imparted to the dye by an acidic solubilizing group attached to a noncoupling position of the coupling portion (COUP) of the coupler or to the color developing agent. The ballasting portion of the coupler remains immobile. ln this type of coupler, the color of the diffusible dye is determined by the color of the reaction product of color developer oxidation product and the coupler moiety (COUP).

As mentioned above, the photosensitive element of our invention contains at least one nondiffusible coupler which produces a diffusible dye image-providing material when employed in combination with physical development nuclei in a nuclei layer contiguous to each photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer. A film unit according to our invention contains the above-mentioned silver halide solvent, either in a rupturable container with the alkaline processing composition or in a layer of the photosensitive element or process sheet and each photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer contains an immobilizing coupler, e.g., a coupler with a ballast group, which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product. Each photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer and its contiguous nuclei layer are separated from the other silver halide emulsions and their contiguous nuclei layers in the film unit by means of an alkaline solution-permeable barrier layer for retaining silver complexes.

In performing a process of forming a transfer image according to our invention, a photosensitive element of the invention is exposed imagewise and then treated with an alkaline processing composition in the presence of an aromatic primary amino color developing agent and l,l bis-sulfonyl alkanesilver halide solvent. The developing agent and solvent may be located in the alkaline processing composition or in the photosensitive element as a separate layer or layers. While the treatment step can be conveniently accomplished in a camera by positioning a rupturable container containing the alkaline processing composition between the photosensitive element and a superposed image-receiving element or process sheet and rupturing the container to discharge its contents between them, treatment can also be accomplished by merely inserting processing composition between the photosensitive element and image-receiving element or process sheet by means of communicating members similar to hypodermic syringes which are attached either to camera or camera cartridge.

After treating the exposed photosensitive element with alkaline processing composition, it permeates the various layers to initiate development of the latent image contained in each photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer. The aromatic primary amino color developing agent which is present develops each of the exposed silver halide emulsion layers, thus causing the aromatic primary amino color developing agent to become oxidized imagewise. The oxidized developing agent then reacts with the immobilizing coupler present in each said photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer to form an immobile product. The remaining silver halide in each silver halide emulsion layer corresponding to unexposed and thus undeveloped areas forms a soluble silver ion complex with the silver halide solvent present in or activated by the processing composition and migrates to each adjacent nuclei layer. The transferred silver complex is reduced or physically developed in the nuclei layer, thus causing developing agent which is present to become oxidized. The oxidized developing agent then reacts with the nondiffusible coupler present in each nuclei layer to form an imagewise distribution of diffusible dye. In three-color elements, imagewise distributions of diffusible cyan, magenta and yellow dye are formed as a function of the imagewise exposure of each said silver halide emulsion layer. The diffusible dye can be formed by the reaction of the oxidized developing agent with the nondiffusible coupler or a preformed dye can be released by the reaction of the oxidized developing agent with the nondiffusible coupler, as described above. At least a portion of each imagewise distribution of diffusible dye then diffuses to a dye image-receiving layer to provide a positive dye image.

The dye image-receiving layer in our film unit can be located on a separate support adapted to be superposed on the photosensitive element after exposure thereof. The general configuration of image-receiving elements is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,362,819. In such embodiment, the rupturable container is usually positioned during processing of the film unit so that a compressive force applied to the container by the pressure-applying members will effect a discharge of the containers contents between the imagereceiving element and the outermost layer of the photosensitive element. Reference is made to the above-mentioned British Pat. No. 904,364, page 19, lines 1-41, for further details concerning the use of such a film unit in the conventional manner.

The dye image-receiving layer can also be located integral with the photosensitive element between the support and the lowermost photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer. Such integral receiver-negative photosensitive elements are disclosed in the above-mentioned U.S. application, Ser. No. 869,l89 of Barr, Bush and Thomas. in such an embodiment, the support for the photosensitive element is transparent and is coated with the image-receiving layer, a substantially opaque, light-reflective layer, e.g., Tim, and then the various layers forming the color-forming units. After exposure of the photosensitive element, a rupturable container containing an alkaline processing composition and an opaque process sheet are brought into superposed position. Pressure-applying members in a camera rupture the container and spread processing composition over the photosensitive element as the film unit is withdrawn from the camera. The processing composition develops the exposed silver halide emulsion layers and dye images are formed as a function of development which diffuse to the image-receiving layer to provide a positive, right-reading image which is viewed through the transparent support on the opaque reflecting layer background. For further details concerning this particular integral film unit, its preparation and use, reference is made to the above-mentioned Barr, Bush and Thomas U.S. application, Ser. No. 869,189.

Another embodiment of integral receiver-negative photosensitive elements is disclosed in the above-mentioned Cole U.S. application, Ser. No. 869,186 wherein the support for the photosensitive element is transparent and is coated with the image-receiving layer, a substantially opaque, lightreflective layer, the various layers forming the color-forming units and a top transparent sheet. A rupturable container containing an alkaline processing composition and an opacifier is positioned adjacent to the top layer and sheet. The film unit is placed in a camera, exposed through the top transparent sheet and then passed between a pair of pressure-applying members in the camera as it is being removed therefrom. The pressureapplying members rupture the container and spread processing composition and opacifier over the negative portion of the film unit to render it light insensitive. The processing composition develops the exposed silver halide layers and dye images are formed as a result of development which diffuse to the image-receiving layerto provide a positive, right-reading image which is viewed through the transparent support on the opaque reflecting layer background. For further details concerning this particular integral film unit, its preparation and use, reference is made to the above-mentioned Cole U.S. application, Ser. No. 869,186.

The B-disulfones and their chemical reactions have been described in the literature. For example, the preparation of these compounds and reactions in which they are involved is described in Suter, Organic Chemistry of Sulfur, on pages 735 and 739. However, it has now been discovered that the use of particular B-disulfones, namely, 1,1bis-sulfonyl alkanes, as silver halide solvents instead of conventional prior art silver halide solvents in photosensitive elements and photographic film units of our invention provide a significant increase in photographic speed.

Suitable 1,1 bis-sulfonyl alkanes used in the present invention can be represented by the generalformula wherein R, and R each represent a lower alkyl group and R represents H or a lower alkyl group. The term lower alkyl as employed herein is preferably an alkyl group containing from about one to four carbon atoms, e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl and the like. The term alkyl" as employed herein also includes substituted alkyl groups, and is preferably a substituted lower alkyl group containing from one to four carbon atoms Thus, substituted lower alkyl groups such as a hydroxyalkyl group, e.g., B-hydroxyethyl, w-hydroxybutyl, etc., an alkoxyalkyl group, e.g., fi-methoxyethyl, w-butoxybutyl, etc., a carboxyalkyl group, e.g., B-carboxyethyl, w-carboxybutyl, etc., a sulfoalkyl group, e.g., fl-sulfoethyl, w-sulfobutyl, etc.; a sulfatoalkyl group, e.g., B-sulfatoethyl, w-sulfatobutyl, etc.; an acryloxyalkyl group, e.g., B-acetoxyethyl, w-butyryloxybutyl, etc.; an alkoxycarbonylalkyl group, e.g., B- methoxycarbonylethyl, w-ethoxycarbonylbutyl, etc. are preferred.

1,1 Bis-sulfonyl alkanes within the above formula include 1,1 bis-(methylsulfonyl)ethane; 1,1 bis-(ethylsulfonyl)ethane; 1,1 bis-( methylsulfonyl )propane; 1,1 bis(ethylsulfonyl)propane; l-ethylsulfonyl-lmethylsulfonyl methane; lethylsulfonyl-lmethylsulfonyl ethane; etc. Especially preferred 1,1bis-sulfony1 alkanes are bis(methylsulfonyl)methane, bis(ethylsulfonyl)methane, bis(B-hydroxyethylsulfonyl)methane, bis(carboxymethylsulfonyl)methane, and his B-carboxyethylsulfonyl )methane.

The novel silver halide solvents can be employed in a film unit according to our invention in any amount which is useful for the intended purpose. Generally speaking, when one or more such silver halide solvents are employed in the processing composition of a film unit according to our invention, the amount will range from about 0.5 to about 30, preferably about 2 to about 10, grams per liter of processing composition. If one or more of the above-described silver halide solvents are to be incorporated into the photosensitive element or an opaque process sheet as described in the abovementioned Barr, Bush, and Thomas application, Ser. No. 869,189 as a separate layer or layers, then they will generally be employed in an amount of from about 10 to about 400, preferably about 30 to about 150, milligrams per square foot of photosensitive element. The silver halide solvents of our invention have their best solvent activity about pH 1 1.

In our invention, the aromatic primary amino color developing agent is preferably a p-phenylenediamine developing agent which is present in the alkaline processing composition. The physical development nuclei can be any of those well known to those in the art, e.g., colloidal metals such as silver, palladium, gold, platinum, copper, etc., and colloidal metal sulfides such as silver sulfide, zinc sulfide, gold sulfide, cadmium sulfide, nickel sulfide, etc. The nuclei layer can also be split into two layers, one on each side of the photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer, if desired. y

In the photosensitive elements of our invention, spacer layers comprising gelatin are preferably employed between the nuclei layers and the photosensitive silver halide emulsion layers to prevent undesirable mixing of the two layers upon coating. The spacer layers may also contain nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized color developing agent to form an immobile product in order to increase its efficiency. Other details concerning this system of photographic chemistry are found in the above-mentioned British Pat. No. 904,364, the Barr, Bush and Thomas application, Ser. No. 869,189 and the Cole application, Ser. No. 869,186.

In our invention, interlayers are generally employed between the various photosensitive color-forming units to scavenge oxidized developing agent and prevent it from forming an unwanted dye in another color-forming unit. Such interlayers would generally comprise a hydrophilic polymer such as gelatin and an immobilizing coupler, as described above, which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product. Such interlayers may also scavenge other materials such as soluble silver ion complexes to prevent such materials from contaminating other color-forming units. A developer scavenging interlayer may also be employed in the abovedescribed integral receiver-negative embodiments adjacent to the light-reflective layer to prevent excess color developing agent from staining the image-receiving layer. Such a layer may comprise, for example, a fogged silver halide emulsion, or a spontaneously developable silver halide emulsion, physical development nuclei, and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized color developing agent to form an immobile product. The developer scavenger interlayer may also contain carbon black, if desired. The developer scavenger interlayer may also be coated with a polymeric timing layer, e.g., gelatin, if desired, to allow for complete development before the developer scavenger interlayer becomes operative.

As previously mentioned, the aromatic primary amino color developing agent employed in our invention is preferably present in the alkaline processing composition in the rupturable pod. The color developing agent can also be incorporated into the photosensitive element as a separate layer, e.g., by employing a Schiff base derivative of an aromatic primary amino color developing agent such as that formed by reacting o-sulfobenzaldehyde and N,N-diethyl-3-methy1-4- aminoaniline. Such incorporated developing agent will be activated by the alkaline processing composition. While the incorporated developing agent can be positioned in any layer of the photosensitive element from which it can be readily made available for development upon activation with alkaline processing composition, it is generally either incorporated in the light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layers or in layers contiguous thereto. As mentioned above, aromatic primary amino color developing agents employed in this invention are preferably p-phenylenediamine developing agents. These developing agents are well known to those skilled in the art and include 4-amino-N,N-diethyl-3-methyl aniline hydrochloride, N,N-diethyl-P-phenylenediamine, 2-amino-5- diethyl-amino toluene, N-ethyl-B-methane-sulfonamidoethyl- 3-methyl-4-aminoaniline, 4-amino-N-ethyl-3-methyl-N-(flsulfoethyl)aniline, 4-amino-N-ethylS-methoXy-N-(B-suI- foethyl)aniline, 4-amio-N-ethyl-N-(,B-hydroxyethyl)aniline, 4 amino-N,N-Diethyl-3-hydroxymethyl aniline, 4-amino-N- methyl-N-(B-carboxyethyl)aniline 4-amino-N,N-bis(B- hydroxyethyl)aniline, 4-amino-N,N-bis(B-hydroxyethyl)-3- methyl aniline, 3-acetamido-4-amino-N,N-bis(B-hydroxyethyl)aniline, 4-amino-N-ethyl-N-(2,3-dihydroxy-propyl)-3- methyl aniline sulfate salt, 4-amino-N,N-diethyl-3-(3-hydroxypropoxy)aniline, and the like.

The rupturable container employed in our invention is well known to those skilled in the art and is illustrated, for example, in U.S. Pats. Nos. 2,543,181; 2,643,886; 2,653,732; 2,723,051; 3,056,492; 3,056,491; 3,152,515, etc.

Typical cameras in which the film unit of our invention can be employed are illustrated in U.S. Pats. Nos. 3,079,849; 3,080,805; 3,161,118 and 3,161,122 and described in the Cole application, Ser. No. 869,186 mentioned above.

The film assembly of our invention can be used to produce positive images in single or multicolors. In a three-color system, each silver halide emulsion layer of the film assembly of our invention will have associated therewith a dye imageproviding material possessing a spectral absorption range substantially complementary to the predominant sensitivity range of its associated emulsion, i.e., the blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer will have a yellow dye image-providing material associated therewith, the green-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer will have a magenta dye image-providing material associated therewith, and the red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer will have a cyan dye image-providing material associated therewith. The dye image-providing material associated with each silver halide emulsion layer is preferably contained in a layer containing the physical development nuclei contiguous to the silver halide emulsion layer.

Spectral sensitizing dyes can be used conveniently to confer additional sensitivity to the light-sensitive silver halide emulsion of the multilayer photographic elements of the invention. For instance, additional spectral sensitization can be obtained by treating the emulsion with a solution of a sensitizing dye in an organic solvent or the dye may be added in the form of a dispersion as described in Owens et al. British Pat. No. 1,154,781. For optimum results, the dye can either be added to the emulsion as a final step or at some earlier stage.

Sensitizing dyes useful in sensitizing such emulsions are described, for example, in Brooker et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,526,632, issued Oct. 24, 1950; Sprague U.S. Pat. No. 2,503,776, issued Apr. 11, 1950; Brooker et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,493,748; and Taber et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,384,486. Spectral sensitizers which can be used include the cyanines, merocyanines, complex (tri or tetranuclear) merocyanines, complex (tri or tetranuclear) cyanines, holopolar cyanines, styryls, hemicyanines (e.g., enamine hemicyanines), oxonols and hemioxonols. Dyes of the above cyanine classes can contain such basic nuclei as the thiazolines, oxazolines, pyrrolines, pyridines, oxazoles, thiazoles, selenazoles and imidazoles. Such nuclei can contain alkyl, alkylene, hydroxyalkyl, sulfoalkyl, carboxyalkyl, aminoalkyl and enamine groups and can be fused to carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring systems either unsubstituted or substituted with halogen, phenyl, alkyl, haloalkyl, cyano, or alkoxy groups. The dyes can be symmetrical or unsymmetrical and can contain alkyl, phenyl, enamine or heterocyclic substituents on the methine or polymethine chain. The above merocyanine dyes can contain the basic nuclei mentioned above as well as acid nuclei such as thiohydantoins, rhodanines, oxazolidenediones, thiazolidenediones, barbituric acids, thiazolineones, and malononitrile. These acid nuclei can be substituted with alkyl, alkylene, phenyl, carboxyalkyl, sulfoalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkylamino groups, or heterocyclic nuclei. Combinations of these dyes can be used, if desired. in addition, supersensitizing addenda which do not absorb visible light can be included, for instance, ascorbic acid derivatives, azaindenes, cadmium salts, and organic sulfonic acids as described in McFall et al. U.S. Pat No. 2,933,390 and Jones et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,937,089.

The various silver halide emulsion layers of a color film assembly of the invention can be disposed in the usual order, i.e., the blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer first with respect to the exposure side, followed by the green-sensitive and red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layers. If desired, a yellow dye layer or a Carey Lea silver layer can be present between the blue-sensitive and green-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer for absorbing or filtering blue radiation that may be transmitted through the blue-sensitive layer. If desired, the selectively sensitized silver halide emulsion layers can be disposed in a different order, e.g., the blue-sensitive layer first with respect to the exposure side, followed by the red-sensitive and green-sensitive layers.

The silver halide emulsions used in this invention are negative-type emulsions since our system is a reversal system and can comprise, for example, silver chloride, silver bromide, silver chlorobromide, silver bromoiodide, silver chlorobromoiodide or mixtures thereof. The emulsions can be coarse or fine grain and can be prepared by any of the wellknown procedures, e.g., single jet emulsions, double jet emulsions, such as Lippmann emulsions, ammoniacal emulsions, thiocyanate or thioether ripened emulsions, etc.

The emulsions used in this invention can be sensitized with chemical sensitizers, such as with reducing agents; sulfur, selenium or tellurium compounds; gold, platinum or palladium compounds; or combinations of these. Suitable procedures are described in Sheppard et al. U.S. Pat. No 1,623,499; Waller et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,399,083; McVeigh U.S. Pat. No. 3,297,447; and Dunn U.S. Pat. No. 3,297,446.

The silver halide emulsions used in this invention may contain speed increasing compounds such as polyalkylene glycols, cationic surface active agents and thioethers or combinations of these as described in Piper U.S. Pat No. 2,886,437; Dann et al. U.S. Pat. No 3,046,134; Carroll et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,944,900; and Goffe U.S. Pat. No. 3,294,540.

The silver halide emulsions used in the practice of this invention can be protected against the production of fog and can be stabilized against loss of sensitivity during keeping. Suitable antifoggants and stabilizers each used along or in combination include thiazolium salts described in Brooker et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,131,038 and Allen et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,694,716; the azaindenes described in Piper U.S. Pat. No. 2,886,437 and Heimbach et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,444,605; the mercury salts as described in Allen et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,728,663; the urazoles described in Anderson et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,287,135; the sulfocatechols described in Kennard et. al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,236,652; the oximes described in Carroll et al. British Pat. No. 623,448; nitron; nitroindazoles; the mercaptotetrazoles described in Kendall et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,403,927; Kennard et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,266,897 and Luckey et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,397,987; the polyvalent metal salts described in .lones U.S. Pat. No. 2,839,405; the thiuronium salts described in Herz et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,220,839; and the palladium, platinum and gold salts described in Trivelli et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,566,263 and Yutzy et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,597,915.

If a transparent support is to be employed in our film unit, it can be any transparent material as long as it does not deleteriously effect the photographic properties of the film unit and is dimensionally stable. Typical actinic radiation transmissive flexible sheet materials include cellulose nitrate film, cellulose acetate film, poly(vinylacetal) film, polystyrene film, poly(ethyleneterephthalate) film, polycarbonate film, poly-aolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene film, and related films or resinous materials as well as glass. The transparent support is usually about 2 to 6 mils in thickness. 11' an opaque support is to be employed in our film unit, it can be any conventional support, such as those mentioned above for the transparent support, with an opacifying agent added during manufacture or otherwise coated thereon. A paper support is also quite useful.

Generally speaking, except where noted otherwise, the silver halide emulsion layers in the invention comprise photosensitive silver halide dispersed in gelatin and are about 0.6 to 6 microns in thickness; the dye image-providing materials are dispersed in an aqueous alkaline solution-permeable polymeric binder, such as gelatin, as a separate layer about 1 to 7 microns in thickness; and the alkaline solution-permeable interlayers, e.g., gelatin, are about 1 to microns in thickness. Of course, these thicknesses are approximate only and can be modified according to the product desired. 1n addition to gelatin, other suitable hydrophilic materials include both naturally occurring substances such as proteins, cellulose derivatives, polysaccharides such as dextran, gum arabic and the like; and synthetic polymeric substances such as water soluble polyvinyl compounds like poly(vinylpyrrolidone), acrylamide polymers and the like.

The photographic emulsion layers and other layers of a photographic element employed in the practice of this invention can also contain alone or in combination with hydrophilic, water-permeable colloids, other synthetic polymeric compounds such as dispersed vinyl compounds such as in latex form and particularly those which increase the dimensional stability of the photographic materials. Suitable synthetic polymers include those described, for example, in Nottorf U.S. Pat. No. 3,142,568, issued July 28, 1964; White U.S. Pat. No. 3,193,386, issued July 6, 1965; Houck et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,062,674, issued Nov. 6, 1962; l'louck et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,220,844, issued Nov. 30, 1965; Ream et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,287,289, issued Nov. 22, 1966; and Dykstra U.S. Pat. No. 3,411,911, issued Nov. 19, 1968. Particularly effective are water-insoluble polymers of alkyl acrylates and methacrylates, acrylic acid, sulfoalkyl acrylates or methacrylates, those which have cross-linking sites which facilitate hardening or curing, and those having recurring sulfobetaine units as described in Dykstra Canadian Pat No. 774,054.

Any material can be employed as the image-receiving layer in this invention as long as the desired function of mordanting or otherwise fixing the dye images will be obtained. The particular material chosen will, of course, depend upon the dye image to be mordanted. For mordanting acid dyes, the imagereceiving layer can contain basic mordants such as polymers of amino guanidine derivatives of vinyl methyl ketone such as described in the Minsk U.S. Pat. No. 2,882,156 granted Apr. 14, 1959. Other mordants useful in our invention include the 2-vinyl pyridine polymer metho-p-toluene sulfonate and similar compounds described in Sprague et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,484,430 granted Oct. 1 1, 1949, and cetyl trimethylammonium bromide, etc. Effective mordanting compositions are also described in Whitmore U.S. Pat. No. 3,271,148 and Bush U.S. Pat. No. 3,271,147. The mordanting compositions described in the Whitmore patent comprise at least one hydrophilic organic colloid containing a finely divided, uniform dispersion of droplets or globules of a high-boiling, water-immiscible organic solvent in which is dissolved a high concentration of a cationic, nonpolymeric, organic dye-mordanting compound for acid dyes. The mordanting compositions described in the Bush patent comprise at least one hydrophilic organic colloid containing a finely divided, uniform dispersion of particles of a salt of an organic acidic composition containing free acid moieties and a cationic, nonpolymeric, organic dye-mordanting compound for acid dyes. Useful cationic or basic organic dye-mordanting compounds for dyes include quaternary ammonium and phosphonium, and ternary sulfonium compounds in which there is linked to the N, P or S onium atom at least one hydrophobic ballast group such as long-chain alkyl or substituted alkyl groups. Furthermore, the image-receiving layer can be sufficient by itself to mordant the dye as in the case of use of an alkaline solution-permeable polymeric layer such as N-rnethoxymethyl polyhexyl-methylene adipamide; partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate; polyvinyl alcohol with or without plasticizers; cellulose acetate; gelatin; and other materials of a similar nature. Generally, good results are obtained when the image-receiving layer is about 0.25 to about 0.04 mil in thickness. This thickness, of course, can be modified depending upon the result desired. The imagereceiving layer can also contain ultraviolet absorbing materials to protect the mordanted dye images from fading due to ultraviolet light and/or brightening agents such as the stilbenes, coumarins, triazines, oxazoles, etc.

Use of a pH-lowering layer in the film unit of the invention may increase the stability of the transferred image. Generally, the pH-lowering layer will effect a reduction in the pH of the image layer from about 13 or 14 to at least 1 1 and preferably 5-8 8 within a short time after imbibition. For example, polymeric acids as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,362,819 may be employed. Such polymeric acids reduce the pH of the film unit after development to terminate further dye transfer and thus stabilize the dye image. Such polymeric acids comprise polymers containing acid groups, such as carboxylic acid and sulfonic acid groups, which are capable of forming salts with alkali metals, such as sodium or potassium, or with organic bases, particularly quaternary ammonium bases, such as tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide. The polymers can also contain potentially acid-yielding groups such'as anhydrides or lactones or other groups which are capable of reacting with bases to capture and retain them. Generally the most useful polymeric acids contain free carboxyl groups, being insoluble in water in the free acid form and which form water-soluble sodium and/or potassium salts. Examples of such polymeric acids include dibasic acid half-ester derivatives of cellulose which derivatives contain free carboxyl groups, e.g., cellulose acetate hydrogen phthalate, cellulose acetate hydrogen glutarate, cellulose acetate hydrogen succinate, ethyl cellulose hydrogen succinate, ethyl cellulose acetate hydrogen succinate, cellulose acetate succinate hydrogen phthalate; ether and ester derivatives of cellulose modified with sulfoanhydrides, e.g., with orthosulfobenzoic anhydride; polystyrene sulfonic acid; carboxymethyl cellulose; polyvinyl hydrogen phthalte; polyvinyl acetate hydrogen phthalate; polyacrylic acid, acetals of polyvinyl alcohol with carboxy or sulfo substituted aldehydes, e.g., o-, mor p-benzaldehyde sulfonic acid or carboxylic acid; partial esters of ethylene/maleic anhydride copolymers; partial ester of methyl-vinyl ether/maleic anhydride copolymers; etc. In addition, solid monomeric acid materials could also be used such as palmitic acid, oxalic acid, sebacic acid, hydrocinnamic acid, metanilic acid, paratoluencsulfonic acid and benzenedisulfonic acid. Other suitable materials are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,422,075 and 2,635,045.

if a pH-lowering layer is employed, it will usually be about 0.3 to about 1.5 mils in thickness and may be located in the receiver element or in the receiver portion of an integral negative-receiver film unit between the support and the imagereceiving layer or in an opaque process sheet.

An inert timing or spacer layer coated over the pH-lowering layer may also be used to time or control the pH reduction of the film unit as a function of the rate at which the alkali diffuses through the inert spacer layer. Examples of such timing layers include gelatin, polyvinyl alcohol or any of those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,455,686. The timing layer is also effective in evening out the various reaction rates over a wide range of temperatures, e.g., premature pH reduction is prevented when imbibition is effected at temperatures above room temperature, for example, at 95 to 100 F. The timing layer is usually about 0.1 to about 0.7 mil in thickness. Especially good results are obtained when the timing layer comprises a hydrolyzable polymer or a mixture of such polymers which are slowly hydrolyzed by the processing composition. Examples of such hydrolyzable polymers include polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, polyamides, polyvinyl ethers, partial acetals of polyvinyl alcohol, etc.

The alkaline processing composition employed in this invention is the conventional aqueous solution of an alkaline material, e.g., sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate or an amine such as diethylamine, preferably possessing a pH in excess of 12. Since the silver halide solvents of our invention have their best solvent ability above about pH 11, they are ideally suited to be used in conjunction with such conventional alkaline processing compositions or to be activated thereby when employed as a separate layer in a photosensitive element.

The alkaline processing composition also preferably contains a viscosity-increasing compound such as a high molecular weight polymer, e.g., a water-soluble ether inert to alkaline solutions such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose. A concentration of viscosity-increasing compound of about 1 to about 5 percent by weight of the processing composition is preferred which will impart thereto a viscosity of about 100 c.p.s., to about 200,000 c.p.s.

While the invention has been described with reference to layers of silver halide emulsions and dye image-providing materials, dotwise coating, such as would be obtained using a gravure printing technique, could also be employed. In this technique, small dots of blue, green and red-sensitive emulsions have associated therewith, respectively, dots of yellow, magenta and cyan color-providing substances. After development, the transferred dyes would tend to fuse together into a continuous tone.

The photographic layers employed in the practice of this invention can contain surfactants such as saponin, anionic compounds such as the alkyl aryl sulfonates described in Baldsiefen U.S. Pat. No. 2,600,831; amphoteric compounds such as those described in Ben-Ezra U.S. Pat. No. 3,133,816; and water-soluble adducts of glycidol and an alkyl phenol such as those described in Olin Mathieson British Pat. No. 1,022,878.

The various layers, including the photographic layers, employed in the practice of this invention can contain light-absorbing materials and filter dyes such as those described in Sawdey U.S. Pat. No. 3,253,921; Gasper U.S. Pat. No. 2,274,782; Silberstein et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,527,583 and Van- Campen U.S. Pat. No. 2,956,879.

The sensitizing dyes and other addenda used in the practice of this invention can be added from water solutions or suitable organic solvent solutions can be used. The compounds can be added using various procedures including those described in Collins et al. U.S. Pat. No. 2,912,343, McCrossen et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,342,605; Audran U.S. Pat. No. 2,996,287 and Johnson et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,425,835.

The photographic layers used in the practice of this invention can be coated by various coating procedures including dip coating, air knife coating, curtain coating, or extrusion coating using hoppers of the type described in Beguin U.S. Pat. No. 2,681,294. lf desired, two or more layers can be coated simultaneously by the procedures described in Russell U.S. Pat. No. 2,761,791 and Wynn British Pat. No. 837,095. This invention also can be used for silver halide layers coated by vacuum evaporation as described in British Pat. No. 968,453 and Lu Valle et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,219,451.

The photographic and other hardenable layers used in the practice of this invention can be hardened by various organic or inorganic hardeners, alone or in combination, such as the aldehydes, and blocked aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic and carbonic acid derivatives, sulfonated esters, sulfonyl halides and vinyl sulfonyl ethers, active halogen compounds, epoxy compounds, aziridines, active olefins, isocyanates, carbodiimides, mixed function hardeners and polymeric hardeners such as oxidized polysaccharides like dialdehyde starch and oxyguargum and the like.

The following examples illustrate the invention:

EXAMPLE 1 An integral, multilayer photosensitive element is prepared by coating the following layers in the order recited on a transparent cellulose acetate film support:

1. Image-receiving layer of methyl-tri-n-dodecyl-ammonium p-toluenesulfonate (22.5 mg./ft. N-n-hexadecyl-N- morpholium ethosulfate (150mg./ft. and gelatin (743 mg./ft.

2. Light reflecting layer of TiO, (3,000 mg./ft.) and gelatin (300 mg./ft.

3. Scavenger interlayer of l-hydroxy-N-[a-(2,4-di-tertamylphenoxy)butyl]-2-naphthamide (20mg./ft. gelatin (100 mg./ft. and tri-cresylphosphate (l0 mg./ft.

4. Nuclei layer of cyan image transfer coupler l-hydrox 4- 4-[a-(3-pentadecylphenoxy)butyramidol-phenoxy -N- ethyl-3,5'-dicarboxy-2-naphthanilide (mg./ft. colloidal palladium (0.48 mg./ft. and gelatin mg./ft.

5. Spacer layer of 1-hydroxy-N-[a-(2,4-di-tert-amylphenoxy)butyl]-2-naphthamide (20 mg./ft. gelatin (100 mg./ft. and tri-cresylphosphate (10 mg./ft.?)

6. Red-sensitive gelatin-silver bromide emulsion (160 mg.

gelatin/ft. and 100 mg. silver/ft), l-hydroxy-N-{a-(2,4- di-tert-amylphenoxy)butyl l-2-naphthamide 126 mg./ft. and tri-cresylphosphate (63 mg./ft.)

7. Barrier lnterlayer of 1-hydroxy-N-[a-(2,4-di-tertamylphenoxyl)butyll-2-naphthamide (100 mg./ft.), tricresylphosphate (50 mg./ft. Carey Lea Silver (10 mg./ft. colloidal palladium (0.48 mg./ft. and gelatin (125 mg./ft.

8. Nuclei layer of magenta image transfer coupler l-phenyl- 3-(3,5-disulfobenzamido)-4-(6-hydroxy-4-pentadecylphenylazo)-5-pyrazolone, dipotassium salt (100 mg./ft. colloidal palladium (0.48 mg./ft. and gelatin (100 mg./ft.

9. Spacer layer of l-hydroxy-N-[a-(2,4-di-tert-amylphenoxy)butyl]-2-naphthamide (20mg./ft. gelatin l00mg./ft. and tri-cresylphosphate 10 mg./ft.

l0. Green-sensitive gelatin-silver bromide emulsion (191 mg. gelatin/ft. and mg. silver/ft), l-hydroxy-N-[a- (2,4-di-tert-amylphenoxy)butyll-Z-naphthamide (150 mg./ft. and tri-cresylphosphate (75 mg./ft.

ll. Barrier lnterlayer of 1-hydroxy-N-[a-(2,4-di-tertamylphenoxy)butyl]-2-naphthamide (100 mg./ft. tricresylphosphate (56 mg./ft. Carey Lea Silver (10 mg./ft. colloidal palladium (0.48 mg./ft. and gelatin mg./ft.

12. Nuclei layer of yellow image transfer coupler a-pivalyla-14-N-n-octadecylsulfamyl)-phenoxyl-4-sulfoacetanilide potassium salt (l20mg./ft. colloidal palladium (0.48 mg./ft. and gelatin (100 mg./ft.")

l3. Spacer layer of l-hydroxy-N-[a-(2,4-di-tertamylphenoxy)butyll-2-naphthamide (20 mg./ft. gelatin (100 mg./ft. and tri-cresylphosphate l0 mg./ft.

l4. Blue-sensitive gelatin-silver bromide emulsion (110 gelatin/ft. and 70 mg. silverlftf), l-hydroxy-N-[a-(2,4- di-tert-amylphenoxy)butyll-2-naphthamide (87 mg./ft. and tri-cresylphosphate (44 mg./ft.

Two samples of the above element are sensitometrically exposed to a graduated-density multicolor test object and processed at 70 F., with the following processing compositions:

Processing Composition A Processing Composition 8 4-amino-3-methoxy-N-ethyl- N-p-hydroxycthylaniline hydrochloride,30 g. hydroehloride,30 g.

Sodium hydroxide,30 g. Sodium hydroxidc.30 g. Pipcridinohexose Pipcridinohexuue reductone,0.8 g. reductonc,0.8 g. Hydroxyethylcelluloue,32 g. Hydroxyethylcellulose,32 g.

Sodium thiosulfate,6 g. Bis(methylsulfonyl)methune,5 g.

The processing compositions are spread from a pod between the exposed surface of the element and a superposed opaque process sheet by passing the transfer sandwich between a pair of juxtaposed pressure rollers. After about 6 minutes, a multicolor reproduction of the test object is observed on a white background when viewed through the transparent film support side of the element. The element which is processed in Processing Composition B containing bis(methylsulfonyl)methane shows a surprising two-stop increase in the blue speed and a one-stop increase in the green speed as compared to the element which is processed in Processing Composition A containing the conventional silver halide solvent, sodium thiosulfate.

EXAMPLE 2 Samples of the exposed element of example 1 are processed in the same manner as in example 1 except that Processing Composition B contains 7 grams of bis(ethylsulfonyl)- methane[H C(SO C H instead of bis(methylsulfm nyl)methane. The element which is processed in Processing Composition B shows a one-stop increase in the red speed over the element which is processed in Processing Composition A.

EXAMPLE 3 Example 1 is repeated except that layers 4-14 are coated on an opaque support and image-receiving layer 1 is coated on a separate opaque support which is superposed over the ele- 4 ment after exposure thereof. The elements are processed in the same manner as in example 1 except that the imagereceiving element is peeled apart from the negative element after about 3 minutes. A similar increase in speed is noted from the element which is processed with Processing Composition B as compared to the element which is processed with Processing Composition A.

EXAMPLE 4 fl-hydroxycthyl-aniline hydrochloride 30 g. Sodium hydroxide 40 g. Piperidinohexosereductone 0.8 g. Hydroxyethylcellulose 32 g.

The above photosensitive element is exposed to a graduateddensity multicolor test object and processed at 70 F., by passing the exposed element and superposed pod and opaque process sheet between a pair of juxtaposed pressure rollers. After about 6 minutes, a multicolor reproduction of the test object is observed on a white background when viewed through the transparent film support side of the element.

M. EXAMPLE 5 Example 4 is repeated but with the bis(methylsulfonyl)- methane left out of the process sheet. No visible image was obtained, thus illustrating the necessity of a silver halide solvent in this system.

EXAMPLE 6 Example 4 is repeated but with the bis(methylsulfonyl)- methane left out of the process sheet and instead, incorporated in the scavenger interlayer (layer 3) at a concentration of mg./ft.. A good multicolor reproduction of the test object is recorded in the mordant layer, thus illustrating that the silver halide solvents described herein can be incorporated directly in a photosensitive element, if desired.

The invention has been described with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. A photographic film unit which is adapted to be processed by passing said unit between a pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying members comprising:

I. a photosensitive element comprising a support having thereon at least one color-forming unit comprising:

a. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible dye; and

b. a photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product;

ll. a dye image-receiving layer; and

Ill. a rupturable container containing an alkaline processing composition and which is adapted to be positioned during processing of said film unit so that a compressive force applied to said container by said pressure-applying members will effect a discharge of the containers contents within said film unit;

said film unit containing an aromatic primary amino color developing agent and a 1,1 bis-sulfonyl alkane silver halide solvent.

2. The film unit of claim 1 wherein said dye image-receiving layer is located in said photosensitive element between said support and the lowermost photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer.

3. The film unit of claim 1 wherein said dye image-receiving layer is coated on a separate support and is adapted to be superposed on said photosensitive element after exposure thereof.

4. The film unit of claim 3 wherein said rupturable container is so positioned during processing of said film unit that a compressive force applied to said container by said pressureapplying members will effect a discharge of the containers contents between said dye image-receiving layer and the outermost layer of said photosensitive element.

5. The film unit of claim 1 wherein said photosensitive element comprises a support having thereon the following layers in sequence:

a. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible cyan dye;

b. a red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product;

c. an alkaline solution-permeable barrier layer for retaining soluble silver ion complex;

d. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondifi'usible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible magenta dye;

e. a green-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product;

. an alkaline solution-permeable barrier layer for retaining soluble silver ion complex;

g. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible yellow dye; and

h. a blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product;

each said nondiffusible coupler having the formula:

BALL -LINK --(COUP SOL)hd n wherein:

l. DYE is a preformed dye radical exhibiting selective absorption in the visible spectrum and containing an acidic solubilizing group:

2. LINK is a connecting radical selected from the group consisting of an azo radical, a mercuri radical, an oxy radical, an alkylidene radical, a thio radical, a dithio radical and an azoxy radical;

. COUP is a coupler radical selected from the group consisting of a S-pyrazolone coupler radical, a pyrazolotriazole coupler radical, a phenolic coupler radical and an open-chain ketomethylene coupler radical, said COUP being substituted in the coupling position with said LlNK;

4. BALL is a photographically inert organic ballasting radical of such molecular size and configuration as to render said coupler nondiffusible during development in said alkaline processing composition;

5. SOL is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom and an acidic solubilizing group when said color developing agent contains an acidic solubilizing group, and SOL is an acidic solubilizing group when said color developing agent is free of an acidic solubilizing group; and

6. n is an integer of l to 2 when said Link is an alkylidene radical, and n is 1 when said LINK is a radical selected from the group consisting of an azo radical, a mercuri radical, an oxy radical, a thio radical, a dithio radical and an azoxy radical.

6. The photographic film unit of claim 5 wherein said silver halide solvent has the formula Illa R S 02*(311-3 01*112 wherein R, and R, each represent an alkyl group containing one to four carbon atoms and R represents H or an alkyl group containing one to four carbon atoms.

7. The photographic film unit of claim 6 wherein R, and R each represent methyl, ethyl, hydroxyethyl, carboxymethyl, or carboxyethyl groups and R represents H.

8. The photographic film unit of claim 7 wherein R, and R each represent a methyl group.

9. The photographic film unit of claim 5 wherein said aromatic primary amino color developing agent is a p-phenylenediamine developing agent which is present in said alkaline processing composition in said rupturable container and said silver halide solvent is also present in said rupturable container.

10. The photographic film unit of claim 9 wherein said silver halide solvent is present in a concentration of from about 0.5 to about 30 gram per liter of said processing composition in said rupturable container,

11. The photographic film unit of claim 5 wherein said aromatic primary amino color developing agent is a p-phenylenediamine developing agent which is present in said alkaline processing composition in said rupturable container and said silver halide solvent is present in said photosensitive element. 1

12. The photographic film unit of claim 11 wherein said silver halide solvent is present in a concentration of from about l0 to about 400 milligrams per square foot of photosensitive element.

13. A photographic film unit which is adapted to be processed by passing said unit between a pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying members comprising:

l. a photosensitive element comprising a transparent support having thereon the following layers in sequence:

a. a dye image-receiving layer;

b. an alkaline solution-permeable, substantially opaque,

light-reflective layer;

c. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible cyan dye;

d. a red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product;

e. an alkaline solution-permeable barrier layer for retaining soluble silver ion complex;

. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible magenta dye; and

g. a green-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product;

h. an alkaline solution-permeable barrier layer for retaining soluble silver ion complex;

i. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible yellow dye; and

j. a blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product;

each said nondiffusible coupler having the formula:

DYE LlNK -(COUP BALL),,

BALL LlNl( -(COUP SOL), wherein:

1. DYE is a preformed dye radical exhibiting selective absorption in the visible spectrum and containing an acidic solubilizing group;

2. LINK is a connecting radical selected from the group consisting of an azo radical, a mercuri radical, an oxy radical, an alkylidene radical, a thio radical, a dithio radical and an azoxy radical;

3. COUP is a coupler radical selected from the group consisting of a S-pyrazolone coupler radical, a pyrazolotriazole coupler radical, a phenolic coupler radical and an open-chain ketomethylene coupler radical, said COUP being substituted in the coupling position with said LlNK;

4. BALL is a photographically inert organic ballasting radical of such molecular size and configuration as to render said coupler nondiffusible during development in alkaline processing compositions;

5. SOL is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom and an acidic solubilizing group when said color developing agent contains an acidic solubilizing group, and SOL is an acidic solubilizing group when said color developing agent is free of an acidic solubilizing group; and

6. n is an integer of l to 2 when said LINK is an alkylidene radical, and n is I when said LINK is a radical selected from the group consisting of an azo radical, a mercuri radical, an oxy radical, a thio radical, a dithio radical and an azoxy radical;

II. a substantially opaque process sheet which is adapted to be superposed over said bluesensitive silver halide emulsion layer of said photosensitive element after exposure thereof; and III. a rupturable container containing an alkaline processing composition comprising a p-phenylenediamine developing agent and which is adapted to be positioned during processing of said film unit so that a compressive force applied to said container by said pressure-applying members will effect a discharge of the containers contents between said opaque process sheet and said blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer of said photosensitive element;

said film unit containing a 1,1 bis-sulfonyl alkane silver halide solvent having the formula:

wherein R, and R each represent an alkyl group containing one to four carbon atoms and R represents H or an alkyl group containing one to four carbon atoms.

14. The photographic film unit of claim 13 wherein R, and R each represent methyl, ethyl, hydroxyethyl, carboxymethyl or carboxyethyl groups and R represents H.

15. The photographic film unit of claim 114 wherein R, and R each represent a methyl group.

16. The photographic film unit of claim 13 wherein said silver halide solvent is present in said rupturable container at a concentration of from about 0.5 to about 30 grams per liter of said processing composition.

17. The photographic film unit of claim 13 wherein said silver halide solvent is present in said photosensitive element at a concentration of from about 10 to about 400 milligrams per square foot of photosensitive element.

118. The photographic film unit of claim 113 wherein said silver halide solvent is present in said opaque process sheet at a concentration of from about 10 to about 400 milligrams per square foot of photosensitive element.

19. A photographic film unit which is adapted to be processed by passing said unit between a pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying members comprising:

I. A photosensitive element comprising a support having thereon the following layers in sequence:

a. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondifi'usible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible cyan dye;

b. a red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product;

. an alkaline solution-permeable barrier layer for retaining soluble silver ion complex;

d. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible magenta dye; and

e. a green-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product;

an alkaline solution-permeable barrier layer for retaining soluble silver ion complex;

g. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiflusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible yellow dye; and

a blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product;

each said nondiffusible coupler having the formula:

DYE -LINK -(COUP BALL),.

BALL --LINK (COUP -SOL),,

wherein:

I. DYE is a preformed dye radical exhibiting selective absorption in the visible spectrum and containing an acidic solubilizing group;

2. LINK is a connecting radical selected from the group consisting of an azo radical, a mercuri radical, an oxy radical, an alkylidene radical, a thio radical, a dithio radical and an azoxy radical;

3. COUP is a coupler radical selected from the group consisting of a S-pyrazolone coupler radical, a pyrazolotriazole coupler radical, a phenolic coupler radical and an open-chain ketomethylene coupler radical, said COUP being substituted in the coupling position with said LINK;

4. BALL is a photographically inert organic ballasting radical of such molecular size and configuration as to render said coupler nondiffusible during development in alkaline processing compositions;

5. SOL is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom and an acidic solubilizing group when said color developing agent contains an acidic solubilizing group, and SOL is an acidic solubilizing group when said color developing agent is free of an acidic solubilizing group; and

6. n is an integer of I to 2 when said LINK is an alkylidene radical, and n is I when said LINK is a radical selected from the group consisting of an azo radical, a mercuri radical, an oxy radical, a thio radical, a dithio radical and an azoxy radical;

II. a dye image-receiving layer coating on an opaque support and adapted to be superposed on said blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer after exposure of said photosensitive element; and

III. a rupturable container containing an alkaline processing composition comprising a p-phenylenediamine developing agent and which is adapted to be positioned during processing of said film unit so that a compressive force applied to said container by said pressure-applying members will effect a discharge of the containers contents between said dye image-receiving layer and said outermost layer of said photosensitive element;

said film unit containing a l,I bis-sulfonyl alkane silver halide solvent having the formula silver halide solvent is present in said rupturable container at a concentration of from about 0.5 to about 30 grams per liter of said processing composition.

23. The photographic film unit of claim 19 wherein said silver halide solvent is present in said photosensitive element at a concentration of from about to about 400 milligrams per square foot of photosensitive element.

24. A process of forming a transfer image comprising:

1. imagewise exposing a photosensitive element comprising a support having thereon at least one color-forming unit comprising:

a. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible dye; and

b. a photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product;

ll. treating said photosensitive element with an alkaline processing composition in the presence of an aromatic primary amino color developing agent and a 1,1 bis-sulfonyl alkane silver halide solvent;

Ill. thereby effecting development of each of said exposed silver halide emulsion layers, thus causing said aromatic primary amino color developing agent to become oxidized imagewise;

IV. said oxidized developing agent reacting with said immobilizing coupler present in each said photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer to form an immobile product;

V. whereby remaining silver halide in each said silver halide emulsion layer corresponding to unexposed and thus un developed areas forms a soluble silver complex with said l,l bis sulfonyl alkane silver halide solvent and transfers to each said adjacent nuclei layer;

Vl. whereby said transferred silver complex is reduced in said nuclei layer, thus causing said developing agent to become oxidized;

Vll. said oxidized developing agent reacting with said nondiffusible coupler present in each said nuclei layer to form an imagewise distribution of diffusible dye as a function of said imagewise exposure of each said silver halide emulsion layer; and

VIII. whereby at least a portion of each said imagewise distribution of diffusible dye diffuses to a dye image-receiving layer to provide a positive dye image.

25. The process of claim 24 wherein said treatment (step ll) is effected by:

a. superposing over the layer outermost from the support of said exposed photosensitive element said dye imagereceiving layer coated on a support;

b. positioning a rupturable container containing said alkaline processing composition between said exposed photosensitive element and said dye image-receiving layer; and

c. applying a compressive force to said container to effect a discharge of the containers contents between said outermost layer of said exposed photosensitive element and said dye image-receiving layer.

26. The process of claim 25 wherein said photosensitive element comprises a support having thereon the following layers in sequence:

a. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible cyan dye;

b. a red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product;

c. an alkaline solution-permeable barrier layer for retaining soluble silver ion complex;

d. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible magenta dye;

e. a green-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product;

f. an alkaline solution-permeable barrier layer for retaining soluble silver ion complex;

g. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible yellow dye; and

h. a blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product;

each said nondiffusible coupler having the formula:

DYE LlNK (COUP BALL),

BALL LlNK (COUP ---SOL), wherein:

l. DYE is a preformed dye radical exhibiting selective absorption in the visible spectrum and containing an acidic solubilizing group;

2. LINK is a connecting radical selected from the group consisting of an azo radical, a mercuri radical, an oxy radical, an alkylidene radical, a thio radical, a dithio radical and an azoxy radical;

3. COUP is a coupler radical selected from the group consisting of a S-pyrazolone coupler radical, a pyrazolotriazole coupler radical, a phenolic coupler radical and an open-chain ketomethylene coupler radical, said COUP being substituted in the coupling position with said LINK;

4. BALL is a photographically inert organic ballasting radical of such molecular size and configuration as to render said coupler nondiffusible during development in said alkaline processing composition;

5. SOL is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom and an acidic solubilizing group when said color developing agent contains an acidic solubilizing group, and SOL is an acidic solubilizing group when said color developing agent is free of an acidic solubilizing group; and

6. n is an integer of l to 2 when said LINK is an alkylidene radical, and n is I when said LINK is a radical selected from the group consisting of an azo radical, a mercuri radical, an oxy radical, a thio radical, a dithio radical and an azoxy radical.

27. A photosensitive element comprising a support having thereon at least one color-forming unit comprising:

a. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible dye; and

b. a photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product;

said photosensitive element containing a 1,1 bis-sulfonyl alkane silver halide solvent.

28. The photosensitive element of claim 27 wherein said photosensitive element comprises a support having thereon the following layers in sequence:

a. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible cyan dye;

b. a red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product;

c. an alkaline solution-permeable barrier layer for retaining soluble silver ion complex;

d. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible magenta dye;

e. a green-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product;

an alkaline solution-permeable barrier layer for retaining soluble silver ion complex;

g. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible yellow dye; and

h. a blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product;

each said nondiffusible coupler having the formula:

DYE -LINK (COUP BALL),

BALL --LlNK (COUP -SL), wherein:

l. DYE is a preformed dye radical exhibiting selective absorption in the visible spectrum and containing an acidic solubilizing group;

2. LINK is a connecting radical selected from the group consisting of an azo radical, a mercuri radical, an oxy radical. an alkylidene radical, a thio radical, a dithio radical and an azoxy radical;

3. COUP is a coupler radical selected from the group consisting of a Spyrazolone coupler radical, a pyrazolotriazole coupler radical, a phenolic coupler radical and an open-chain ketomethylene coupler radical, said COUP being substituted in the coupling position with said LINK;

4. BALL is a photographically inert organic ballasting radical of such molecular size and configuration as to render said coupler nondiffusible during development in alkaline processing compositions;

5. SOL is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom and an acidic solubilizing group when said color developing agent contains an acidic solubilizing group, and SOL is an acidic solubilizing group when said color developing agent is free of an acidic solubilizing group; and

6. n is an integer of l to 2 when said LINK is an alkylidene radical, and n is 1 when said LINK is a radical selected from the group consisting of an azo radical, a mercuri radical, an oxy radical, a thio radical, a dithio radical and an azoxy radical.

29. The photosensitive element of claim 28 wherein said silver halide solvent is bis(methylsulfonyl)-methane.

30. The photosensitive element of claim 27 which also contains said aromatic primary amino color developing agent. 

2. LINK is a connecting radical selected from the group consisting of an azo radical, a mercuri radical, an oxy radical, an alkylidene radical, a thio radical, a dithio radical and an azoxy radical;
 2. LINK is a connecting radical selected from the group consisting of an azo radical, a mercuri radical, an oxy radical, an alkylidene radical, a thio radical, a dithio radical and an azoxy radical;
 2. The film unit of claim 1 wherein said dye image-receiving layer is located in said photosensitive element between said support and the lowermost photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer.
 2. LINK is a connecting radical selected from the group consisting of an azo radical, a mercuri radical, an oxy radical, an alkylidene radical, a thio radical, a dithio radical and an azoxy radical;
 2. LINK is a connecting radical selected from the group consisting of an azo radical, a mercuri radical, an oxy radical, an alkylidene radical, a thio radical, a dithio radical and an azoxy radical;
 2. LINK is a connecting radical selected from the group consisting of an azo radical, a mercuri radical, an oxy radical, an alkylidene radical, a thio radical, a dithio radical and an azoxy radical;
 3. COUP is a coupler radical selected from the group consisting of a 5-pyrazolone coupler radical, a pyrazolotriazole coupler radical, a phenolic coupler radical and an open-chain ketomethylene coupler radical, said COUP being substituted in the coupling position wiTh said LINK;
 3. COUP is a coupler radical selected from the group consisting of a 5-pyrazolone coupler radical, a pyrazolotriazole coupler radical, a phenolic coupler radical and an open-chain ketomethylene coupler radical, said COUP being substituted in the coupling position with said LINK;
 3. COUP is a coupler radical selected from the group consisting of a 5-pyrazolone coupler radical, a pyrazolotriazole coupler radical, a phenolic coupler radical and an open-chain ketomethylene coupler radical, said COUP being substituted in the coupling position with said LINK;
 3. The film unit of claim 1 wherein said dye image-receiving layer is coated on a separate support and is adapted to be superposed on said photosensitive element after exposure thereof.
 3. COUP is a coupler radical selected from the group consisting of a 5-pyrazolone coupler radical, a pyrazolotriazole coupler radical, a phenolic coupler radical and an open-chain ketomethylene coupler radical, said COUP being substituted in the coupling position with said LINK;
 3. COUP is a coupler radical selected from the group consisting of a 5-pyrazolone coupler radical, a pyrazolotriazole coupler radical, a phenolic coupler radical and an open-chain ketomethylene coupler radical, said COUP being substituted in the coupling position with said LINK;
 4. BALL is a photographically inert organic ballasting radical of such molecular size and configuration as to render said coupler nondiffusible during development in said alkaline processing composition;
 4. BALL is a photographically inert organic ballasting radical of such molecular size and configuration as to render said coupler nondiffusible during development in alkaline processing compositions;
 4. The film unit of claim 3 wherein said rupturable container is so positioned during processing of said film unit that a compressive force applied to said container by said pressure-applying members will effect a discharge of the container''s contents between said dye image-receiving layer and the outermost layer of said photosensitive element.
 4. BALL is a photographically inert organic ballasting radical of such molecular size and configuration as to render said coupler nondiffusible during development in alkaline processing compositions;
 4. BALL is a photographically inert organic ballasting radical of such molecular size and configuration as to render said coupler nondiffusible during development in said alkaline processing composition;
 4. BALL is a photographically inert organic ballasting radical of such molecular size and configuration as to render said coupler nondiffusible during development in alkaline processing compositions;
 5. SOL is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom and an acidic solubilizing group when said color developing agent contains an acidic solubilizing group, and SOL is an acidic solubilizing group when said color developing agent is free of an acidic solubilizing group; and
 5. SOL is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom and an acidic solubilizing group when said color developing agent contains an acidic solubilizing group, and SOL is an acidic solubilizing group when said color developing agent is free of an acidic solubilizing group; and
 5. SOL is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom and an acidic solubilizing group when said color developing agent contains an acidic solubilizing group, and SOL is an acidic solubilizing group when said color developing agent is free of an acidic solubilizing group; and
 5. The film unit of claim 1 wherein said photosensitive element comprises a supPort having thereon the following layers in sequence: a. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible cyan dye; b. a red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product; c. an alkaline solution-permeable barrier layer for retaining soluble silver ion complex; d. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible magenta dye; e. a green-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product; f. an alkaline solution-permeable barrier layer for retaining soluble silver ion complex; g. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible yellow dye; and h. a blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product; each said nondiffusible coupler having the formula: DYE - LINK -(COUP - BALL)n or BALL - LINK - (COUP - SOL)n wherein:
 5. SOL is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom and an acidic solubilizing group when said color developing agent contains an acidic solubilizing group, and SOL is an acidic solubilizing group when said color developing agent is free of an acidic solubilizing group; and
 5. SOL is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom and an acidic solubilizing group when said color developing agent contains an acidic solubilizing group, and SOL is an acidic solubilizing group when said color developing agent is free of an acidic solubilizing group; and
 6. n is an integer of 1 to 2 when said Link is an alkylidene radical, and n is 1 when said LINK is a radical selected from the group consisting of an azo radical, a mercuri radical, an oxy radical, a thio radical, a dithio radical and an azoxy radical.
 6. The photographic film unit of claim 5 wherein said silver halide solvent has the formula wherein R1 and R2 each represent an alkyl group containing one to four carbon atoms and R3 represents H or an alkyl group containing one to four carbon atoms.
 6. n is an integer of 1 to 2 when said LINK is an alkylidene radIcal, and n is 1 when said LINK is a radical selected from the group consisting of an azo radical, a mercuri radical, an oxy radical, a thio radical, a dithio radical and an azoxy radical; II. a substantially opaque process sheet which is adapted to be superposed over said blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer of said photosensitive element after exposure thereof; and III. a rupturable container containing an alkaline processing composition comprising a p-phenylenediamine developing agent and which is adapted to be positioned during processing of said film unit so that a compressive force applied to said container by said pressure-applying members will effect a discharge of the container''s contents between said opaque process sheet and said blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer of said photosensitive element; said film unit containing a 1,1 bis-sulfonyl alkane silver halide solvent having the formula: wherein R1 and R2 each represent an alkyl group containing one to four carbon atoms and R3 represents H or an alkyl group containing one to four carbon atoms.
 6. n is an integer of 1 to 2 when said LINK is an alkylidene radical, and n is 1 when said LINK is a radical selected from the group consisting of an azo radical, a mercuri radical, an oxy radical, a thio radical, a dithio radical and an azoxy radical; II. a dye image-receiving layer coating on an opaque support and adapted to be superposed on said blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer after exposure of said photosensitive element; and III. a rupturable container containing an alkaline processing composition comprising a p-phenylenediamine developing agent and which is adapted to be positioned during processing of said film unit so that a compressive force applied to said container by said pressure-applying members will effect a discharge of the container''s contents between said dye image-receiving layer and said outermost layer of said photosensitive element; said film unit containing a 1,1 bis-sulfonyl alkane silver halide solvent having the formula wherein R1 and R2 each represent an alkyl group containing one to four carbon atoms and R3 represents H or an alkyl group containing one to four carbon atoms.
 6. n is an integer of 1 to 2 when said LINK is an alkylidene radical, and n is 1 when said LINK is a radical selected from the group consisting of an azo radical, a mercuri radical, an oxy radical, a thio radical, a dithio radical and an azoxy radical.
 6. n is an integer of 1 to 2 when said LINK is an alkylidene radical, and n is 1 when said LINK is a radical selected from the group consisting of an azo radical, a mercuri radical, an oxy radical, a thio radical, a dithio radical and an azoxy radical.
 7. The photographic film unit of claim 6 wherein R1 and R2 each represent methyl, ethyl, hydroxyethyl, carboxymethyl, or carboxyethyl groups and R3 represents H.
 8. The photographic film unit of claim 7 wherein R1 and R2 each represent a methyl group.
 9. The photographic film unit of claim 5 wherein said aromatic primary amino color developing agent is a p-phenylenediamine developing agent which is present in said alkaline processing composition in said rupturable container and said silver halide solvent is also present in said rUpturable container.
 10. The photographic film unit of claim 9 wherein said silver halide solvent is present in a concentration of from about 0.5 to about 30 gram per liter of said processing composition in said rupturable container.
 11. The photographic film unit of claim 5 wherein said aromatic primary amino color developing agent is a p-phenylenediamine developing agent which is present in said alkaline processing composition in said rupturable container and said silver halide solvent is present in said photosensitive element.
 12. The photographic film unit of claim 11 wherein said silver halide solvent is present in a concentration of from about 10 to about 400 milligrams per square foot of photosensitive element.
 13. A photographic film unit which is adapted to be processed by passing said unit between a pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying members comprising: I. a photosensitive element comprising a transparent support having thereon the following layers in sequence: a. a dye image-receiving layer; b. an alkaline solution-permeable, substantially opaque, light-reflective layer; c. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible cyan dye; d. a red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product; e. an alkaline solution-permeable barrier layer for retaining soluble silver ion complex; f. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible magenta dye; and g. a green-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product; h. an alkaline solution-permeable barrier layer for retaining soluble silver ion complex; i. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible yellow dye; and j. a blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product; each said nondiffusible coupler having the formula: DYE - LINK -(COUP - BALL)n or BALL - LINK - (COUP - SOL)n wherein:
 14. The photographic film unit of claim 13 wherein R1 and R2 each represent methyl, ethyl, hydroxyethyl, carboxymethyl or carboxyethyl groups and R3 represents H.
 15. The photographic film unit of claim 14 wherein R1 and R2 each represent a methyl group.
 16. The photographic film unit of claim 13 wherein said silver halide solvent is present in said rupturable container at a concentration of from about 0.5 to about 30 grams per liter of said processing composition.
 17. The photographic film unit of claim 13 wherein said silver halide solvent is present in said photosensitive element at a concentration of from about 10 to about 400 milligrams per square foot of photosensitive element.
 18. The photographic film unit of claim 13 wherein said silver halide solvent is present in said opaque process sheet at a concentration of from about 10 to about 400 milligrams per square foot of photosensitive element.
 19. A photographic film unit which is adapted to be processed by passing said unit between a pair of juxtaposed pressure-applying members comprising: I. a photosensitive element comprising a support having thereon the following layers in sequence: a. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible cyan dye; b. a red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product; c. an alkaline solution-permeable barrier layer for retaining soluble silver ion complex; d. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible magenta dye; and e. a green-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product; f. an alkaline solution-permeable barrier layer for retaining soluble silver ion complex; g. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible yellow dye; and h. a blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product; each said nondiffusible coupler having the formula: DYE - LINK -(COUP - BALL)n or BALL - LINK - (COUP - SOL)n wherein:
 20. The photographic film unit of claim 19 wherein R1 and R2 each represent methyl, ethyl, hydroxyethyl, carboxymethyl or carboxyethyl groups and R3 represents H.
 21. The photographic film unit of claim 20 wherein R1 and R2 each represent a methyl group.
 22. The photographic film unit of claim 19 wherein said silver halide solvent is present in said rupturable container at a concentration of from about 0.5 to about 30 grams per liter of said processing composition.
 23. The photographic film unit of claim 19 wherein said silver halide solvent is present in said photosensitive element at a concentration of from about 10 to about 400 milligrams per square foot of photosensitive element.
 24. A process of forming a transfer image comprising: I. imagewise exposing a photosensitive element comprising a support having thereon at least one color-forming unit comprising: a. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible dye; and b. a photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product; II. treating said photosensitive element with an alkaline processing composition in the presence of an aromatic primary amino color developing agent and a 1,1 bis-sulfonyl alkane silver halide solvent; III. thereby effecting development of each of said exposed silver halide emulsion layers, thus causing said aromatic primary amino color developing agent to become oxidized imagewise; IV. said oxidized developing agent reacting with said immobilizing coupler present in each said photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer to form an immobile product; V. whereby remaining silver halide in each said silver halide emulsion layer corresponding to unexposed and thus undeveloped areas forms a soluble silver complex with said 1,1 bis-sulfonyl alkane silver halide solvent and transfers to each said adjacent nuclei layer; VI. whereby said transferred silver complex is reduced in said nuclei layer, thus causing said developing agent to become oxidized; VII. said oxidized developing agent reacting with said nondiffusible coupler present in each said nuclei layer to form an imagewise distribution of diffusible dye as a function of said imagewise exposure of each said silver halide emulsion layer; and VIII. whereby at least a portion of each said imagewise distribution of diffusible dye diffuses to a dye image-receiving layer to provide a positive dye image.
 25. The process of claim 24 wherein said treatment (step II) is effected by: a. superposing over the layer outermost from the support of said exposed photosensitive element said dye image-receiving layer coated on a support; b. positioning a rupturable container containing said alkaline processing composition between said exposed photosensitive element and said dye image-receiving layer; and c. applying a compressive force to said container to effect a discharge of the container''s contents between said outermost layer of said exposed photosensitive element and said dye image-receiving layer.
 26. The process of claim 25 wherein said photosensitive element comprises a support having thereon the following layers in sequence: a. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible cyan dye; b. a red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product; c. an alkaline solution-permeable barrier layer for retaining soluble silver ion complex; d. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible magenta dye; e. a green-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product; f. an alkaline solution-permeable barrier layer for retaining soluble silver ion complex; g. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible yellow dye; and h. a blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product; each said nondiffusible coupler having the formula: DYE - LINK -(COUP - BALL)n or BALL - LINK - (COUP - SOL)n wherein:
 27. A photosensitive element comprising a support having thereon at least one color-forming unit comprising: a. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible dye; and b. a photosensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product; said photosensitive element containing a 1,1 bis-sulfonyl alkane silver halide solvent.
 28. The photosensitive element of claim 27 wherein said photosensitive element comprises a support having thereon the following layers in sequence: a. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible cyan dye; b. a red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product; c. an alkaline solution-permeable barrier layer for retaining soluble silver ion complex; d. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible magenta dye; e. a green-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product; f. an alkaline solution-permeable barrier layer for retaining soluble silver ion complex; g. a nuclei layer containing physical development nuclei and a nondiffusible coupler capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to produce a diffusible yellow dye; and h. a blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing an immobilizing coupler which is capable of reacting with oxidized aromatic primary amino color developing agent to form an immobile product; each said nondiffusible coupler having the formula: DYE - LINK -(COUP - BALL)n or BALL - LINK - (COUP - SOL)n wherein:
 29. The photosensitive element of claim 28 wherein said silver halide solvent is bis(methylsulfonyl)-methane.
 30. The photosensitive element of claim 27 which also contains said aromatic primary amino color developing agent. 